Legislation -
Referred to Committee
(Senate)
-
May 11, 2011

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(34-31) -
May 4, 2011(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes Colorado to negotiate with other states to form an interstate compact, allowing it to opt out of federal health care laws.

Highlights:

-Requires the state and any other signatory states to seek both joint and separate approval from the U.S. Congress to maintain state regulation of health care (Sec. 1).

-Defines "health care" as care, services, supplies, or plans related to the health of an individual including, but not limited to the following (Sec. 1): -Preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, and palliative care and counseling, service, assessment, or procedure relating to the physical or mental status of the individual; -Sale of a drug, device, or equipment in accordance with a prescription; and -An individual or group plan that pays for the costs related to the health of an individual.

-Authorizes the legislatures of the signatory states to have the primary responsibility of regulating health care in their respective states and the ability to suspend federal laws and regulations regarding health care (Sec. 1).

-Authorizes signatory states to receive federal funding with Congressional approval based on the total level of federal spending on health care in the state during its current year funding level for that federal fiscal year (Sec. 1).

-Establishes the Interstate Advisory Health Care Commission, which meets at least once a year and consists of the following members (Sec. 1): -Up to 2 members from each state, appointed by their state; and -1 chairperson elected by the Commission members.

-Establishes the powers of the Interstate Advisory Health Care Commission, including, but not limited to the following (Sec. 1): -Adopting and publishing bylaws and policies that do not conflict with the compact; -Studying issues of health care regulation; -Forming nonbonding recommendations to the member state legislatures; and -Collecting information and data to assist member states in health care regulation.

-Specifies that the act shall be effective upon its adoption by at least 2 states and Congressional approval (Sec. 1).

-Authorizes member states to amend the compact with unanimous agreement without prior Congressional approval, with the amendment being effective unless Congress disapproves of it within 1 year (Sec. 1).